CARDIN, MIKULSKI ANNOUNCE VICTORY IN NEW POSTAL SERVICE PLAN TO PRESERVE RURAL POST OFFICES

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-Md.) today praised a new U.S. Postal Service (USPS) strategy that will save 137 rural mail facilities in Maryland previously slated for closure. The USPS announcement was a major victory in the Maryland Senators' fight to save rural post offices. More information about the Postal Services new plan and a list of Maryland post offices that will remain open are available in the Postmaster General's letter here. "The Postmaster G… Continue Reading

STATEMENT BY U.S. SENATOR BEN CARDIN ON PRESIDENT OBAMA’S ANNOUNCEMENT THAT HE SUPPORTS MARRIAGE EQUALITY

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) release the following statement on President Obama's announcement that he supports same-sex marriage. Senator Cardin has co-sponsored legislation that would repeal the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which denies federal benefits to same-sex couples. "Same-sex couples deserve the same rights and benefits as heterosexual couples. President Obama's position is consistent with the recently passed law in Maryland, and I applaud him for taking this… Continue Reading

SENATOR CARDIN ANNOUNCES SERVICE ACADEMY APPOINTMENTS

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), today announced that nine Marylanders have accepted appointments to the U.S. Service Academies for the 2012-2013 academic year. The five U.S. service academies -- the U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy -- recruit top-notch young American men and women who will appreciate an excellent education and a chance to serve their country. "Every year, it is… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI CALL FOR USPS TO EXTEND MORATORIUM ON ALL POSTAL CLOSURES UNTIL FINAL ENACTMENT OF POSTAL REFORM BILL

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) today joined a bipartisan group of 41 Senators in calling on the United States Postal Service (USPS) to extend the current moratorium on the closing of post offices or processing facilities until enactment of postal reform legislation. The current moratorium is schedule to end May 15. On April 25, by a vote of 62-37 the U.S. Senate passed S. 1789, the 21st Century Postal Service Act, bipartisan legislation that would pres… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI ANNOUNCE $250,000 TO EXPAND BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS IN GARRETT CO.

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) today announced that the Garrett County Board of Commissioners has received a $250,000 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to expand Broadband Internet connectivity in Garrett County. "In Maryland's innovative economy, the Internet is indispensible to running businesses, schools and for personal use such as banking or paying bills," said Senator Cardin. "Broadband access is absolutely essential and th… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI INTRODUCE MARYLAND DISTRICT COURT NOMINEE GRIMM AT SENATE CONFIRMATION HEARING

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-Md.) today at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee introduced Judge Paul William Grimm to fill a vacancy on the United States District Court for the District of Maryland. Judge Grimm currently serves as a Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge in Maryland, Northern Division, located in Baltimore. "Judge Paul Grimm is a veteran of the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General's Corps at Aberdeen Proving Ground and a … Continue Reading

CARDIN AND MIKULSKI PRAISE ANNOUNCEMENT OF ALMOST $15 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDS AWARDED TO EXPAND AND IMPROVE FOUR MARYLAND COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski, (both D-Md.), today praised the announcement of almost $15 million in federal funding to support the renovation, expansion and improvement of four Maryland community health centers, boosting their ability to care for additional patients and create jobs. Grantees estimate these awards will help them serve approximately 27,737 new patients in Maryland. "Community health centers provide affordable, high quality, cost-effective health … Continue Reading

CARDIN PRAISES SENATE PASSAGE OF REAUTHORIZATION OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) today praised Senate reauthorization of a long-standing law to stop violence against women and extend protections to other groups. By a vote of 68-to-31, the Senate passed the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act, S. 1925, often referred to as VAWA. The legislation now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration. "I was an early co-sponsor of VAWA because it provides important legal, civil, economic and social safeguards for victims… Continue Reading

ISRAELI INDEPENDENCE DAY

It is my distinct pleasure to recognize Israel on the 64th anniversary of its founding. As we join Israel in celebrating this milestone, the shared bonds between our two countries have grown stronger over the years because of our commitment to democracy and freedom. Throughout Israel's history, our two nations have worked together to protect Israel and to promote regional peace and stability. Today, as we reflect on Israel's remarkable history, I also want to pay special tribute to the peopl… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI ANNOUNCE VICTORY IN CHANGING SENATE POSTAL REFORM BILL TO GUARANTEE THAT THE EASTON MAIL PROCESSING FACILITY WILL REMAIN OPEN

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-Md.) today announced that their advocacy to protect mail delivery service standards in the Senate's 21st Century Postal Reform Act has led to changes in the bill that would assure Maryland mail processing facilities remain open. A final vote on the bill is expected in the coming hours. The Senators today received a letter from Postmaster General Patrick R. Donahoe outlining the Maryland postal facilities that would remain ope… Continue Reading

CARDIN VOTES FOR POSTAL REFORM BILL TO PRESERVE DELIVERY STANDARDS AND PUT POSTAL SERVICE ON ROAD TO FINANCIAL STABILITY

WASHINGTON - By a vote of 62-to-37, the U.S. Senate today passed the 21st Century Postal Service Act, S. 1789, which will preserve delivery standards nationwide and put the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) on a path to financial stability. U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) called passage of the bipartisan bill a "victory for individuals and businesses throughout our nation that depend on timely mail delivery." Senator Cardin insisted that the reform bill include provisions maintaining delivery standard… Continue Reading

CARDIN SAYS MARKETPLACE FAIRNESS ACT WILL HELP MARYLAND AVOID TAX HIKES, PROTECT LOCAL BUSINESSES

Washington, DC -- At a Senate Finance Committee hearing today, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, highlighted the importance of legislation that would level the playing field for local businesses and give Maryland and other states the option to collect sales tax already owed under current law from out-of-state businesses. Senator Cardin noted that the $375 million in revenue that would be captured by Maryland through improved sales tax compliance would make… Continue Reading

CARDIN ANNOUNCES CUMBERLAND PROCESSING CENTER WILL NEED TO REMAIN OPEN TO MEET DELIVERY STANDARDS IN POSTAL REFORM BILL

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) announced today that he has been told by the Postmaster General that the Cumberland mail processing center will remain open to meet overnight delivery standards that Senator Cardin insisted be included in the postal reform bill being considered by the U.S. Senate. The Senator received a letter from Postmaster General Patrick R. Donahoe confirming that the Cumberland processing facility will need to remain open to "meet the overnight service standards … Continue Reading

CARDIN LAUDS BILL TO ASSIST CHESAPEAKE BAY WATERSHED FARMERS WITH POLLUTION CLEANUP AND PREVENTION

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Water and Wildlife Subcommittee, today praised new legislation (S. 2294) introduced by Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) that would aid in restoring and maintaining the health of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. The bill was introduced just one day before the State of Maryland announced that the Chesapeake Bay juvenile blue crab population is at the highest level on record, and the overall blue crab populati… Continue Reading

CARDIN CALLS FOR REFORM OF GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) today called for reforms within the General Services Administration (GSA) during a Senate Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW) oversight hearing on the agency. He issued the following remarks on the conduct and spending in the GSA's Western Region: "The shocking and shameful extraneous spending that GSA engaged in during its 2010 Western Regional Conference was offensive to the American taxpayers who ultimately had to foot the bill," sa… Continue Reading

CARDIN FILES AMENDMENT TO POSTAL REFORM BILL TO PREVENT CLOSURE OF THE EASTON PROCESSING CENTER

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-M) today filed an amendment to the 21st Century Postal Service Act, S. 1789, which would prevent the closure of the Easton, MD mail processing center. Senator Cardin's amendment would prohibit the closure of a postal processing facility if the next closest one is more than 50 miles away. The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) has said it is considering closing the Easton facility and moving its functions to Wilmington, DE, approximately 80 miles away. "I am … Continue Reading

CELEBRATION OF 150th ANNIVERSARY OF DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA EMANCIPATION DAY

When Congress returns to session on Monday, April 16, 2012, we will recognize an important anniversary and holiday here in Washington. That day will be the 150th anniversary of District of Columbia Emancipation Day. Nine months before President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in January 1963, the President signed the District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act. The act ordered the release of the 3,100 enslaved persons of African descent held in the nation's capital.… Continue Reading

CARDIN TESTIFIES ON THE NEED TO END RACIAL PROFILING IN AMERICA

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) testified before the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights today calling for an end to the use of racial profiling by law enforcement in America. He discussed the need to pass his legislation, S. 1670, the End Racial Profiling Act: "Racial profiling is un-American. It is against our values, it wastes valuable resources, and it should have no place in modern law enforcement. It's time that we move forward in g… Continue Reading

ENDING RACIAL PROFILING IN AMERICA

Chairman Durbin, Ranking Member Graham, let me begin by thanking you for holding this hearing today. And I thank you for the opportunity to testify before the Judiciary Committee on the topic of ending racial profiling in America. I also want to join in welcoming my former colleagues in the House, Representatives Gutierrez, Ellison, and Chu, to the Senate. Over the past few months the nation's attention has been riveted to the tragic, avoidable death of Trayvon Martin in Florida. A few weeks… Continue Reading

CARDIN TOURS NCI’s NEW ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH FACILITY IN FREDERICK

FREDERICK, MD -- U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) today toured the new National Cancer Institute's (NCI) state-of -the-art Advanced Technology Research Facility (ATRF) located at Riverside Research Park in Frederick, MD. The Senator also received a detailed briefing about the facility, which is scheduled to officially open this summer. The ATRF is part of the NCI's Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, the only federally funded research and development center in the nation dedicated… Continue Reading